The CEO'S SUBSTITUTE WIFE

THE CEO'S SUBSTITUTE WIFE- Chapter 5: Penthouse Rules

She'd signed the papers 40 minutes ago.

Now she was here.

The Mokoena penthouse was on the 67th floor.

It didn't look like a home. It looked like a museum nobody was allowed to touch.

White marble. Glass walls. Sandton spread out below like a circuit board. No photos. No color. Just cold.

Amahle's single suitcase looked pathetic on the floor. Security must've moved it while she was still in Kago's office.

"Rule 1," Kago said. He hadn't taken his suit jacket off since she signed her name.

He was already on his phone. CEO even at home.

"You don't leave the building without my security. Rule 2: You don't enter my office on the 66th floor. Ever. Rule 3: You don't speak to Themba alone."

Amahle's jaw tightened. "Rule 4: You don't get to treat me like staff."

Kago finally looked at her.

His eyes were flat. Tired. The man from the office, thr one who smiled when she signed, was gone.

"You signed a contract, Mrs. Mokoena. Not a love story. We're business partners. The business is destroying my brother-in-law."

He walked to the kitchen island. Tapped it once.

"You room is down the hall. Left side. My wife's old room has been cleared out. You'll stay there."

Amahle froze.

His wife's room.

The diary was still in her bag. She could feel it burning through the leather.

Before she could answer, the elevator dinged.

Themba.

He was out of handcuffs. Hair perfect. Tie straight. Like he hadn't been dragged into Kago's office 40 minutes ago.

His smile didn't reach his eyes.

"Kago, you can't be serious," Themba said. He didn't look at Amahle. "Bringing a Dlamini into the house? After what her sister did?"

Kago didn't move. "She's my wife now. Watch your tone."

Themba laughed. "Wife. Right. For 1 year."

Now he looked at Amahle. Slow. Like he was appraising a used car.

"Miss Dlamini. I'm so sorry about Naledi. Truly. Prison is... stressful. I hope she's eating."

Amahle's hands balled into fists.

He knew. About the baby. He was taunting her.

"Don't say her name," Amahle said. Her voice was quiet. That scared her more than yelling.

Themba's smile got wider. "What? I'm just being polite. We're family now."

Kago stepped between them.

"Enough."

One word. The room went silent.

Themba raised his hands. "Relax, brother. I'm just here for the Q3 files. Then I'll leave you and your new bride alone."

He walked past Amahle. Close enough that she smelled his cologne.

He paused. Whispered, so only she could hear:

"You shouldn't have opened that book, Amahle. Some pages are better left closed."

Then he was gone. Elevator doors shut.

Amahle exhaled. She didn't realized she was holding her breath.

Kago was watching her.

"He threatened you."

It wasn't a question.

Amahle shook her head. "He warned me."

Kago's jaw clenched. "Rule 5: If he comes near you again, you call me. Immediately. You don't handle him yourself."

"Why? You afraid I'll meas up your plan?"

Kago walked to the window. His back to her again. Always his back.

"I'm afraid you'll end up like her," he said.

Her.

Lindiwe.

Silence.

Amahle dropped her suitcase. She walked past him, down the hall. Left side.

The room was big. Empty. King bed. Walk in closet.

And on her nightstand, one thing he missed.

A book.

Not the diary. A different one.

Financial Law for Excutives. 3rd Edition.

Amahle opened it.

Inside the front cover, in small, neat handwriting:

K- If you ever read this, check account 7B-2219. It's not mine. -L

L.

L for Lindiwe.

Her heart slammed against her ribs.

Account 7B-2219.

Kago was downstairs. Themba was in the building.

And she just found her first piece of evidence.

Amahle closed the book.

She didn't call Kago.

Rule 3 said don't speak to Themba alone.

It didn't say anything about breaking into a bank account.

She smiled for the first time since she signed the contract.